U.S. Men's Basketball Team Survives Serbia For Its 48th Consecutive International Win

DeMar DeRozan goes up for a shot against Nikola Kalinic of Serbia in the men's preliminary round Group A match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on Aug. 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Kyrie Irving scored 15 points and the U.S. men's basketball team survived its second straight strong challenge in the Rio Games, edging Serbia 94-91.

The Americans won their 48th consecutive international tournament game, but it was anything but easy.

Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic missed a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2 seconds left that would have tied it, and Kevin Durant grabbed the rebound to keep the Americans unbeaten. They barely escaped against Australia on Wednesday.

Seeking their third straight gold medal, the Americans built an early 18-point lead on Friday but couldn't put away the Serbians, who lost by 29 to the U.S. in the 2014 Basketball World Cup final.

DeAndre Jordan scored 13 and Carmelo Anthony 12 for the U.S., which will close pool play on Sunday against France.

Nikola Jokic scored 25 and Miroslav Raduljica 18 before fouling out for Serbia.